College football notebook

Posted: Thursday, December 05, 2002

By From staff and wire reports

Alabama gives A&M permission to talk

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M president Robert Gates declined to confirm reports Wednesday that school officials had received permission to speak with Alabama coach Dennis Franchione about becoming the Aggies coach.

Told that Alabama athletic director Mal Moore confirmed Wednesday that A&M officials had asked for and received permission to talk with Franchione, Gates only replied, "That sounds reliable."

Gates, speaking face-to-face to reporters for the first time since firing coach R.C. Slocum on Monday, wouldn't go into detail about the plans for replacing the 14-year head coach.

"We have a process under way in looking for a new coach," Gates said. "I hope we'll have some results soon. That's all I'll say about the future."

Gates also wasn't specific about a timetable for finding Slocum's replacement.

"I hope soon," he said.

Franchione has for several weeks been considered a possible replacement for Slocum, even before the coach was fired Monday, three days after a 50-20 loss to Texas that ended a 6-6 regular season. That matched the Aggies' worst record in 14 seasons under Slocum.

Franchione led Alabama to a 17-8 record over the past two seasons, finishing at 10-3 this season after 21-16 victory at Hawaii on Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide, which is on NCAA probation for recruiting violations that occurred before Franchione took the job, isn't eligible for a bowl game this year or next year.

Franchione hasn't yet signed a contract extension with Alabama reported to be worth $15 million over 10 years.

Iowa says it's one of two at-large teams

Iowa became the fourth team assured a spot in one of the four Bowl Championship Series games, even though there was no official announcement from the BCS.

The Hawkeyes (11-1) will be one of the two at-large teams, the Big Ten Conference said in a news release. Three teams -- Miami, Ohio State and Florida State have already clinched half of the six automatic BCS berths as conference champions.

Official BCS bids and matchups will be determined Sunday, the day after the regular season ends. Mike Tranghese, BCS coordinator, said the Big Ten's announcement on Tuesday was premature.

"Nothing should have been said, I think we embarrassed ourselves," Tranghese said Wednesday. "We're not going to render a final decision until Sunday."

Part of the Big Ten release said "Conference co-champion Iowa will play in a Bowl Championship Series game to be determined after the results of Saturday's games are known."

Big Ten officials declined comment on Wednesday.

Iowa, which completed its season, will likely play in the Rose or Orange bowls. Other possible at-large teams are Kansas State, Notre Dame and Southern California. The Trojans, though, can become an automatic qualifier by taking the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth if UCLA beats Washington State on Saturday.

Memphis receiver dismissed from team

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Antoine Harden was dismissed from the Memphis football team Wednesday because of his involvement in a brawl after TCU's 27-20 victory Saturday.

Memphis coach Tommy West said he made the decision to dismiss the junior wide receiver after reviewing film from the incident.

"As I stated at TCU, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior," West said. "That is not what I stand for and it is not what this team will stand for."

The brawl started after Memphis' desperation fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the end zone with 2 seconds remaining. Players from both teams exchanged words and an official was injured.

Harden, of Dallas, caught 37 passes for 608 yards and five touchdowns. He is seventh on the school's career receiving list with 1,197 yards.

Palmer completed 288 of 458 passes for a USC record 3,639 yards and 32 touchdowns during the regular season for the fifth-ranked Trojans (10-2). Palmer is the Pac-10's career leader in passing yards and total offense. The Trojans have averaged 42 points during their seven-game winning streak.